That swath of manufacturing- based states in the Midwest — Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan — with tentacles that reach as far east as Pennsylvania, has been the epicenter of the economic difficulties in the country over the past few years.
Each state is hosting a competitive gubernatorial race this fall. Republicans argue that a clean sweep (or close to it) would immediately change the electoral calculus heading into the nationwide redistricting in 2011 and President Obama‘s reelection race in 2012.
The Republican Party is enjoying its “id” moment right now. In the schema of Sigmund Freud, the id is that part of your psychology that spontaneously reacts and craves emotional and physical fulfillment. Voters want candidates who make them feel good, who make them feel special, who convince them that simply the conscious act of identifying as a conservative is political and powerful. The Tea Party is an identity movement. Sarah Palin’s new conservative feminism is very much an identity movement. Cheering for Sarah Palin makes you feel good about yourself and makes you hate the enemy all that much more. Aww, she says the right things. She’s authentic. She’s so real. She connects with Southern conservatives. So satisfying.
President Barack Obama’s prospective 2012 Republican rivals are investing heavily in the Internet, looking to cut into what was an overwhelming advantage for Obama in the 2008 campaign.
The Southern Leadership Conference held a straw poll. Straw polls are a favorite activity at high profile gatherings of party activists, but hold relatively little meaning in the scheme of things. For instance, Ron Paul won the CPAC straw poll, yet Ron Paul obviously isn’t going to be the Republican nominee.
One after another, speakers stood before thousands of loyalists and denounced the Obama administration and congressional Democrats with extravagant contempt, lifting the audience from its seats with depictions of a president who overreaches at home while shrinking from America’s duties abroad.
Rick Perry, still relatively unknown nationally for someone who governed Texas for the last 10 years, and Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House, delivered presidential candidate-esque speeches on the first two days of the conference. With delegates from 14 southern states on hand, their appearances could help lay a foundation for a national bid — if they do indeed decide to run.
Little more than a year into President Barack Obama’s first term, Republicans are lining up to challenge the Democrat in his re-election bid, but some Republicans are facing their own challenges from conservatives in their own party, who are holding them accountable for past actions.
New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) — Nearly 4,000 GOP insiders descended on New Orleans for the start of the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, thought by many to be the unofficial kickoff to the 2012 presidential cycle.
Fanfare, flags and a marching band greeted the team selecting the site for the 2012 Republican National Convention during a tour of Tampa hot spots Monday.
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